The Egyptian Book of the Dead 83

Transformation into a Bennu Bird [From the Papyrus of Nu (British Museum No. 10,477, sheet 10).]

[The Chapter of making the transformation into a Bennu bird.] The chancellor-in-chief, Nu, triumphant, saith:

“I came into being from unformed matter. I came into existence like the god Khepera, I have germinated like the things which germinate (i.e., plants), and I have dressed myself like the Tortoise. I am [of] the germs of every god. I am Yesterday of the four [quarters of the world] and of those seven Uraei which came into existence in Amentet, that is to say, [Horus, who emitteth light from his divine body. He is] the god [who] fought against Suti, but the god Thoth cometh between them through the judgment of him that dwelleth in Sekhem, and of the Souls who are in Annu, and there is a stream between them. I have come by day, and I have risen in the footsteps of the gods. I am the god Khensu, who driveth back all that oppose him.”

[If] this chapter [be known by the deceased] he shall come forth pure by day after his death, and he shall perform whatsoever transformations his heart desireth. He shall be in the following of Un-nefer, and he shall be satisfied with the food of Osiris and with sepulchral meals. [He] shall see the Disk, [he] shall be in good case upon earth before Ra, and he shall be triumphant before Osiris, and no evil thing whatsoever shall have dominion over him forever and ever.